Modular pedestrian bridge and system

ABSTRACT

A modular pedestrian bridge ( 10 ) is disclosed. In its simplest form, the bridge ( 10 ) includes: a span module ( 12 ) having a tunnel ( 14 ) sufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel ( 14 ), the tunnel ( 14 ) being defined by a floor ( 16 ) and a top ( 18 ), defining a height ( 20 ), sides ( 22 ) defining a width ( 24 ) and upper and lower connectors ( 26 ) and ( 28 ), a tower module ( 30 ), a stair assembly ( 32 ), the tunnel ( 14 ) having sufficient dimensions to allow the tower module ( 30 ) to be telescopically fit into the tunnel ( 14 ) and the span module ( 12 ) being adapted to fit on a chassis or flat bed truck of a vehicle. The bridge ( 10 ) is configured to simplify assembly and disassembly and is adapted to fit on a chassis, flat bed truck and the like. The span module ( 12 ) is dimensioned, such that it does not have special freight requirements, possibly triggering state and federal escort laws for extra wide or long loads.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bridges, and more particularly to a modularpedestrian bridge and system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is advantageous to provide the ability for pedestrian and handicaptraffic to safely and comfortably cross over a potentially dangerousarea, such as a road, creek, railroad tracks, construction site or thelike. Pedestrian access of this type is frequently required at popularor well attended events, such as sporting events like automobile racing,golf tournaments and marathons, for example. Existing known pedestrianbridges are generally cumbersome and time-consuming to erect, difficultto transport and not particularly portable or repeatable.

There is a need for a modular pedestrian bridge and its components that:allow for flexibility in configuration; comprise modular components thatare easy to align, assemble and disassemble, and are portable andtransportable; provide stair and height flexibility and adjustment; meetpublic safety standards; provide cost effective freight expenses; andhave minimal storage requirements. Further, there is a need for amodular bridge system that allows for compact packaging and temporarystorage of components, and is particularly adapted to being easilytransported on a conventional flat bed trailer or chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated plan view of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge, inaccordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is top view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge showing four spanswith an intermediate supporting tower module, in accordance with theinstant invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge alonglines DD-DD (between the stairs on the left) in FIG. 2, showing aplatform walkway and a partial view of the lower and upper stairwells,in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge alonglines EE-EE in FIG. 2, showing a platform walkway between a partial viewof the upper stairwell and span, in accordance with the instantinvention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge alonglines S-S in FIG. 1, showing an upper view showing a connection regionwhere two spans connect, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the Modular PedestrianBridge along lines R-R in FIG. 1, in accordance with the instantinvention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridgein FIG. 5, showing an upper view illustrating a connection region wheretwo spans connect and placement of twist lock receptacles, in accordancewith the instant invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cut away view of region X of the ModularPedestrian Bridge in FIG. 7, showing a partial view of the connectionregion where two spans connect, in accordance with the instantinvention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cut away of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge in FIG.1, showing a partial view of a center tower supporting a connectionregion where two spans connect, in accordance with the instantinvention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge alonglines U-U in FIG. 1, showing the center town supporting a span, inaccordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of an in box connector orreceptacle above a and twist lock, of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge, inaccordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of components of the Modular PedestrianBridge, shown disassembled on a fifty three foot flat bed truck, with atower module telescopically placed within a span module and ready to betransported or unloaded, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged top view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge, shownin FIG. 12, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged rear view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge, shownin FIG. 12, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of components of the Modular PedestrianBridge, shown disassembled on a second, fifty three foot flat bed truck,ready to be transported or unloaded, in accordance with the instantinvention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged plan and rear views of components of theModular Pedestrian Bridge, shown disassembled on a third, fifty threefoot flat bed truck, ready to be transported or unloaded, in accordancewith the instant invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge in FIG.1, showing an end tower with pockets for receiving forks of a fork liftand extenders, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the Modular Pedestrian Bridge in FIG.18, showing a cut-away lower portion of a tower module, illustrating thetelescopic height adjustment feature including an inner tube, an outertube, aligned apertures at various distances from the foot for receivingbolts in the inner and outer tubes, height adjusting bolts and clampingstructure with clamping bolts with associated apertures, in accordancewith the instant invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial view of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge, illustratingthree stair configurations, including a straight egress, a modifiedninety degree egress and a straight ninety degree egress, in accordancewith the instant invention.

FIG. 21 is an elevated plan view of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge, withouta center tower, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 22 is flow diagram of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge System, inaccordance with the instant invention. Discuss and illustrate connectorsand plates around the tunnel (placed at top, bottom and sides) combineto transfer vertical, horizontal, lateral and twisting forces betweenadjacent spans, to reinforce and form a unitary span module withstructural integrity.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Modular Pedestrian Bridge 10 is shown. Inits simplest form, the modular pedestrian bridge 10, includes: a spanmodule 12 having a tunnel 14 sufficient to allow pedestrians to travelthrough the tunnel 14, the tunnel 14 being defined by a floor 16 and atop 18, defining a height 20, sides 22 defining a width 24 and upper andlower connectors 26 and 28 (FIG. 7), a tower module 30, a stair assembly32, the tunnel 14 having sufficient dimensions to allow the tower module30 to be telescopically fit into the tunnel 14 and the span module 12being adapted to fit on a chassis or flat bed truck of a vehicle.

The modular pedestrian bridge 10 is designed and configured tosignificantly simplify and reduce the cycle time in assembly anddisassembly. In addition, the dimensions of the components are speciallyconfigured such that a conventional chassis, flat bed truck and thelike, can be utilized to support and haul the bridge 10 whendisassembled, to various desired locations, such as in rentalapplications. Advantageously, the span module 12 is dimensioned suchthat it is unnecessary to have an extra wide or extra long load,possibly triggering additional freight expenses.

Conventional known bridges that are in existence today, do no have anyor all of the outlined advantages and structure detailed herein.

As should be understood by those skilled in the art, the stair or rampassembly 32 has the capability of being configured in a substantiallyperpendicular orientation with respect to the span module 12 (see FIG.20 for various stair configurations), depending on the available realestate and application. As should be understood by those skilled in theart, the size, design and location and layout, may vary widely dependingon the available space. Thus, the bridge 10 and components andconnections are designed and particularly adapted to maximize modularityand flexibility, for improved space utilization and simplicity inassembly.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the floor 16 of thespan module 12 and platform walkways 104, respectively, have elongatedpockets 34 strategically positioned in proximity to the middle, spacedand complementarily configured to be received by a fork of a fork lift,for balanced and simplified lifting, placement and transporting, duringassembly and disassembly. Likewise, in FIG. 18, a tower pocket 34 isshown for simplified fork lifting.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a proximal side 25 of the longspan 12 is shown, the upper connector 26 includes two outwardlyextending members 36 each having a hole 38, and the lower connector 28including an outwardly extending member 40 with a hole 42. The upper andlower connectors 26 and 28 are complementarily configured to beconnectable with and at least partially received in a second adjacentspan module, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. A distal side 27 in FIGS. 1and 2 is also shown, and can be complementarily configured with respectto the proximal side 25, for simple connection and disconnection toadjacent spans, for example. As should be understood by those skilled inthe art, the sides and connectors can be reversed. As illustrated inFIG. 5, a force transferring or guide plate 44 with strategicallypositioned holes 46, shown below the floor, can provide assistance inaligning adjacent spans.

More importantly, in a preferred embodiment, plates 44 are configuredand connected (by bolts) substantially completely around the tunnel 14,which includes at the floor 16, top 18 and sides 22, to transfervertical, horizontal and angled forces between adjacent spans, such thatconnected spans form a single or unitary structure, with reliablestructural integrity throughout the connected spans, including at theconnection points and interfaces.

The span module 12 further includes strategically positioned and spacedvertical, angled and horizontal supporting structure 48, 50 and 52, inFIG. 7. The span module 12 has the structural integrity to support manypeople crossing as well as it has loop structures 54 with a hole 56 ator near the sides 25 and 27, to receive a hook of a crane (FIG. 6), tofacilitate lifting and placement, for example.

Referring to FIG. 6, a pin 58 with a cotter or holding pin 59 is shown,to securely connect distal and proximal sides 27 and 25 to adjacent spanmodules 12 or other components. In a preferred embodiment, thisstructure is utilized and connected, for enhanced reliability.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the span module12 further includes a plurality of in box connectors/receptacles or IBCs60, configured to receive a twist lock 62, strategically positioned andspaced to facilitate connection and disconnection, to and from a chassisor flat bed of a truck, as shown in FIG. 10. In a preferred embodiment,once the span 12 is lowered to the chassis in FIG. 10, four twist locks62 are rotated, for a secure lock and connection to the chassis. Andconversely, when at a work site, the four twist locks can easily berotated to disconnect the span 12 and chassis, for subsequent pickingand placing.

Referring to FIG. 9, the tower module 30 provides a stable and securevertical support and includes strategically positioned and spacedvertical, angled and horizontal supporting structure 64, 66 and 68 andfurther includes an upper portion 70 with an end 71, such as an “I” beamsupport structure with a plurality of apertures 72 and a lower portion74.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 10, the apertures 72 are spaced forreceiving a bolt connector there through, to connect to one or morespans (FIGS. 9 and 10), for simple connection and secure support of aspan 12, for expediting assembly, connection and disconnection tovarious components or modules, such as an adjacent span or platform.This structure is preferably on both sides of the tower 30, in FIG. 9.

The towers 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, further include an upper portion70 and a lower portion 74 with casters 76 and 78, respectively, tofacilitate horizontal movement when on a side 77, for loading andunloading. In more detail, casters 76 and 78 are placed at the sides andbottom, help to facilitate telescopic insertion and removal from sides22 and floor 16 of the tunnel 14, when stored in or removed from thespan module 12, as shown in FIGS. 12-14.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the tower module 30 includes four legs 80 with anupper portion 82 and a lower portion 84. As shown in FIG. 19, the legs80 include an outer tube 86 and an inner tube 90 connected to a flatfoot 92. The outer tube 86 has a plurality of spaced outer apertures 94(not shown) and likewise, an inner tube 90 has spaced apertures 96.Height adjusting bolts 98 allow telescopic height adjustable of thetower. A plurality of height adjusting bolts 98 can be utilized toconnect the inner 90 and outer tubes 86, for “fine” height adjustment.Clamping structure 100 and clamping bolts 101, provide a secureconnection with minimal undesirable vibration and lateral rocking of thelegs.

As shown in FIG. 18, the feet 92 can be connected to extenders 102 withplates 103, for secure attachment and anchoring to the ground (when aspike or bolt is connected to the ground/asphalt or cement,respectively, through apertures 105, for example).

In FIG. 18, reinforcing extenders 102 preferably extend perpendicularlyaway from the span module 12 and legs 80, and are shown connected bybolts, to the feet 92. The legs 80 and extenders 102 generally form an“upside down T”, for enhanced horizontal stability and better grippingwhen appropriately attached to the ground surface.

It is desirable to have a smooth, steady and efficient flow ofpedestrians in and out of a desired facility. Thus, in one embodiment,the tunnel 14 has handrails 104 on the sides 22 and a detachable handrail 104 securely connected to the floor 16, for pedestrian security andtraffic control.

FIG. 3 shows a platform walkway 104 and a partial view of lower andupper stair weldments 106 and 108, along lines DD-DD in FIG. 2. Thestair tower 30 includes a top 110 with two “I” beams 111 with aperatures112 for simple bolting and fastening to the lower stair weldment 106 andplatform walkway 104, with several bolts on each side of the I beam 111.Each component has reinforced tubular interface structure 114 generallywhere different components meet. At an overhang region 120, an L shapedmember 116 connects interfaces 114 of the upper stairweld 108 andplatform 104, with a series of bolts and aperatures. A guide plate 118is included, to assist with alignment and assembly of walkway 104 andthe L member 116 of weldment 108.

Preferably, the L member is permanently affixed to the interface 114 ofweldment 116, for reliable structural integrity. This structure assistswith placement, structural integrity, alignment and guidance at theoverhang 120. Likewise, at the left side of FIG. 3, preferably the plate118 and interface or tube 114 are also welded or otherwise permanentlyconnected.

FIG. 4 shows a partial view of an upper platform walkway 104 between theupper stair weldment 108 and span 122, along lines EE-EE in FIG. 2,which can generally be considered a mirror image of the lower platformwalkway 104 in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, on the left side, the interfaces 114have horizontal aperatures for receiving and fastening the platform 104and stair weldment 108 with bolts 124. The square tubing provided byinterface 114 is permanently affixed to the stairs 108. Guide plate 118provides a ledge and structural assistance, in alignment duringassembly.

On the right side of FIG. 4, a plate 126 is shown with a sufficientwidth so as to rest on top 110 on one side and connected to interface114 on the other, and has apertures for receiving bolts 128 from above,to connect to top 110. When assembled, this structure simplifiesplacement, alignment and connecting of the span 122 with the tower 30.On the right, the members 36 and 40 of span 12 are not required to beattached to the walkway 104 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a connection region along lines S-S in FIG. 1, where twoadjacent spans 30 connect and interface, from a position below lookingup. It includes the guide plate 44 with holes 46 for bolts, and thestrategic placement of the IBCs 60 on proximal side 25. IBCs are alsoplaced at substantially similar positions on the distal side 27 (in FIG.2). In more detail, the IBCs 60 provide for simplified connection anddisconnection to a chassis, flat bed truck and the like, for simplifiedloading and unloading.

Referring to FIG. 6, a partial connection region along lines R-R in FIG.1, is shown connecting two adjacent spans 12, from above. As detailedpreviously, the upper connector 26, of the proximal side 25 of the longspan 12, is shown with a female portion including two outwardlyextending members 36 (or ear lugs), each having a hole 38, beingconnected with a distal side 27 of an adjacent span 12 having a maleportion with an outwardly extending member 130, with a hole 132. Themale and female portions are substantially complementarily configuredfor simple connection and alignment (of a male and female portions), tofacilitate connection (and disconnection) of adjacent spans 12 byinsertion of pin 58.

This structure defines a universal connection structure. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the span 12 on the right has two malemembers 130 connected to a substantially complementarily configuredfemale member defined by members 36 at the floor 16, and conversely atthe top 18 (only partially show however), the opposite is the case. Forexample, the span 12 at the right includes two female portions definedby members 36 on the top 18 on sides 22, for receiving twocomplementarily configured male members 130. Thus, in one embodiment,the span 12 on the right in FIG. 5, has two male members 130 at or nearthe floor 16 and two female members (defined by members 36) at the top,and the span 12 on the left has the opposite (complementarily configuredconnection structure). This design provides an enhanced connection meansfor alignment, assembly and disassembly, while also having thestructural integrity required for such an important application.

As should be understood by those skilled in the art, these universalconnectors (connection structure) can, for example, be reversed (twomales on top and two females on the bottom, two females on the top andtwo males on the bottom) or alternated (one male member on one side anda female on the other on the bottom and the same or different on thetop), and can include various dimensional and structural changes,rearrangements and modifications, while remaining within the spirit andscope of this invention.

A force traversing plate 44, as previously discussed, is also shown.FIGS. 7 and 8 provide further views of this structure, and have beendiscussed previously.

FIG. 9 shows a partial view of the center tower supporting a connectionregion where two adjacent spans meet. The upper portion 70 of the tower30 supports one of the spans 12 at two places, at proximal side 25 andreinforced region 134, for improved stability, assembly and guidance andstructural integrity.

FIG. 10 shows the top 110 of center tower 30 supporting a proximal side25 of a span 12, along lines U-U in FIG. 1. They are connected withbolts through apertures 112.

Referring to FIGS. 12,13 and 14, a loaded fifty three foot flat bedtrailer 201 with various components, is shown. It includes four stairleg brackets 202, sixteen weldments 203, four ground plates 204, sixteenweldment mounting legs 205, four weldment feet 206, eight handrails 207,four weldment rails 208, eight stair handrails 209, fifty two foot span210, two support towers 211 and two stair towers 212

Referring to FIG. 15, another loaded fifty three foot flat bed trailer301 is shown. It includes eight quick pins 302, washers 303, thirty fourfiller plates 304, four weldment mounting legs 305, eight cotter pins306, center tower 307, twenty platforms 308 and three eighteen footspans 309.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, another loaded fifty three foot flat bedtrailer 401 is shown. It includes ten lower stair weldments 402 and tenupper stair weldments 403.

FIG. 18 shows a preferred placement of the end tower 30 with pockets 34,for receiving forks of a fork lift and extenders 102, as detailed above.As should be understood by those skilled in the art, the middle towercan include all of this structure as well, and the towers can includevarious dimensional changes, rearrangements and modifications, whileremaining within the spirit and scope of this invention.

FIG. 20 shows three stair configurations, including a straight egress, amodified ninety degree egress and a straight ninety degree egress. Theycan be modified to fit the available space.

It should be noted, that elevators or lifting means can be utilized totransport handicapped, such as people in wheel chairs and the like, tothe tunnel. It should also be noted, that in certain applications, rampscan be utilized instead of stairs, for transporting handicapped, drivinggolf cars through the tunnel and the like.

FIG. 21 is an elevated plan view of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge, withouta center tower, in one embodiment.

FIG. 22 is flow diagram of a Modular Pedestrian Bridge System 500. Inits simplest form, the system 500 includes: providing 510 a span modulehaving a tunnel sufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through thetunnel, the tunnel being defined by a floor and a top, defining aheight, sides defining a width and upper and lower connectors, a towermodule, stair assembly, and the tunnel of the span module havingsufficient dimensions to allow the tower module to be telescopically fitinto the tunnel; transporting 520 the span module, tower module andstair assembly to a job site; and assembling 530 the span module, thetower module and the stair assembly, to form a bridge.

The providing step 510 further includes providing at least one of: (i)the span module and tower module with pockets adapted to be received bya fork of a fork lift; (ii) the lower connector includes an outwardlyextending member having a hole and the upper connector includes twooutwardly extending members having a hole; and (iii) the upper connectorincludes an outwardly extending member having a hole and the lowerconnector includes two outwardly extending members having a hole.

The system can further include the step of connecting the span moduleand a chassis or flat bed truck with a twist lock. This feature isadapted to facilitate connection and disconnection.

The system can further include the step of providing the tower modulewith casters, adapted to facilitate horizontal movement when on a side,for facilitating insertion and removal from the tunnel.

The system can further include at least one of the steps of: adjusting aheight of the tower module telescopically, as necessary; and providingoutwardly projecting extenders at a lower portion of the tower module,for anchoring and stability.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembling step 530 includes at least oneof the steps of: unlocking twist locks connecting at least one span to achassis or flat bed truck; unloading components in the tunnel of the atleast one span; aligning and interconnected at least one span end to endwith a second span, to form an integrated and unitary span module of adesired length; surveying the job site to determine if the tower heightis within a certain threshold, and if not, adjusting the height;attaching lateral supports to a bottom portion of the tower; anchoringthe tower to the ground; placing and positioning the towers atappropriate locations; picking, placing, aligning and connecting the atleast one span with the towers; connecting stairs to the tower;connecting handrails and a canopy to a platform of the tower; andforming an integrated bridge structure. These features enhancedstructural reliability and stability and simplicity in assembly.

EXAMPLE ONE

Detailed below is an example of the general process flow of a customerordering a modular pedestrian bridge, for purchase or lease, forexample.

1. A customer contacts a bridge supplier with its general requirements.The customer may require a temporary modular bridge for a specificevent, or perhaps a permanent structure. Typically, the customer willprovide the approximate dimensions needed for the desired bridge, suchas length, approximate tower height, terrain, available space for stairlayout and available foot print.2. The supplier pre-assembles and pre-packs the spans as necessary,preliminarily designs and pre-packs the necessary components on and inthe flat bed chassis, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, 15 and 16-17, as well aspre-plans the assembly necessary at the work site. Advantageously, it ismore efficient to pre-plan and pre-assembly components, at the suppliersfacilities, where the personnel and expertise are resident, prior togoing in the field for assembly.

For example, in one application, a one hundred six foot span wasrequired. Thus, a first truck, such as the one in FIGS. 12-14 wasloaded, a second truck with three 18 foot spans were pre-assembled,connected and loaded, as in FIG. 15 and a third truck was loaded, as inFIGS. 16 and 17. Each truck included various components as well.

3. Advantageously, the spans were equipped with IBCs. Twist locks, asshown in FIG. 11, were used to lock the chassis or flat bed truck withthe spans in FIGS. 12-14 and 15.4. The loaded trucks were driven to the work site. Advantageously, nospecial freight permits were required, because the loads (width, heightand lengths) were within normal freight specifications.5. At the work site, the twist locks were unlocked, in order to lift andremove the spans from the chassis, as illustrated in FIG. 11.6. The components in the spans were unloaded and the components werelaid out in an organized way, for easy access, prior to lifting thespan(s). However, it is possible to unload the spans with the componentstherein.7. The spans were lifted off the truck, placed on the ground in generalalignment and interconnected to the desired length. In this example, thethree spans in FIG. 15 and one in FIG. 12 were connected to make thespan 106 feet long, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, once the spans areconnected at the corners, with members 36 and 40, and with the plates44, they provide a reliable, integrated, assembled length and unitarybridge structure, which is fairly light weight for a bridge with suchspecifications.8. Prior to placement of the towers, a confirmatory survey and siteinspection is completed, to confirm if the rough tower height estimates,provided by the customer, were correct. If they are correct, the towersare ready to be picked by an overhead crane or fork lift and placed.This is referred to as “course”, height estimate. The height can be“finely” adjusted, by telescopically raising or lowering the legs, as inFIG. 19. The lower portions of the legs have inner and outer tubesadapted just for such a fine adjustment, using bolts and a series ofspaced holes.

Lateral extenders 102 and plates 103 are used under each of the legs,and provide enhanced lateral support and a stable ground connection,when appropriately anchored. There are holes 105 in the plates 103 forattaching the plate, firmly to the ground, by use of bolts, spikes andthe like. For example, some surfaces can sink or are otherwise unstable,such as dirt, gravel and asphalt. Thus, the ground plate 103 provides astable and reliable ground anchor or connection.

9. The towers are placed and positioned at the appropriate locations.They can be carried by a crane or fork lifted, as appropriate.10. The towers and platforms are connected. Typically, this involveslifting the spans and placing, maneuvering and aligning them with thetowers, which have been correctly positioned, set and located. This isnot a trivial task, considering unpredictable weather conditions, suchas wind, rain and snow, rough terrain and the like, are possible. Sincethe spans have been securely connected as a single integrated structure,only one lift or pick and place should be required. In this example, the106 foot span was picked up and placed on the side and middle platformsin FIG. 1. The guide plates and related span and tower structure,contribute to helping guide, align and attach the span, tower andplatforms. Several bolts were used to fasten these components. Themodularity, easy access at connection points and interfaces, and simpleconnections (requiring conventional hand tools), simplify assembly anddisassembly.11. The stairs are aligned and connected to the appropriate hardware andstructure. The tunnel structure and canopy is connected to theplatforms. The canopy is a chain link fence surrounding the top andsides of the platform, like the canopy of the spans, and the handrailsare connected to the platform and stairs.

As should be understood by those skilled in the art, there are numerousembodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should beunderstood that various modifications and substitutions, as well asrearrangements and combinations of the preceding embodiments, can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope on the instant invention.

1. A Modular Pedestrian Bridge, comprising: a span module having atunnel sufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel, thetunnel being defined by a floor and a top, defining a height, sidesdefining a width and upper and lower connectors, a tower module, stairassembly, the tunnel of the span module having sufficient dimensions toallow the tower module to be telescopically fit into the tunnel.
 2. TheModular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein the floor of the spanmodule has pockets strategically positioned and spaced to be received bya fork of a fork lift.
 3. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1,wherein the lower connector includes a male outwardly extending memberhaving a hole and the upper connector includes a substantiallycomplementarily configured female member having a hole.
 4. The ModularPedestrian Bridge of claim 4, wherein the upper connector includes amale outwardly extending member having a hole and the lower connectorincludes a substantially complementarily configured female member havinga hole.
 5. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein the lowerconnector includes an outwardly extending member having a hole and theupper connector includes two outwardly extending members have a hole,the upper and lower connectors being complementarily configured to beconnectable with and at least partially be received in each other. 6.The Modular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein the span moduleincludes strategically positioned and spaced vertical, angled andhorizontal supporting structure and the top has a plurality of loopswith holes configured to facilitate lifting.
 7. The Modular PedestrianBridge of claim 1, wherein the span module includes a plurality of inbox connectors configured to receive a twist lock, strategicallypositioned and spaced to facilitate connection and disconnection to andfrom a mobile vehicle with in box connectors similarly spaced.
 8. TheModular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein the tower module providesvertical support and includes strategically positioned and spacedvertical, angled and horizontal supporting structure and furtherincludes an upper portion for supporting the span.
 9. The ModularPedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein the tower module includes at leastone of: an upper portion and a lower portion with casters, adapted tofacilitate horizontal movement when on a side; four legs with an upperportion and a lower portion, the legs include an outer tube and have anadjustable foot including an inner tube and flat foot; four legs with anupper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including outwardlyprojecting extenders, adapted to provide stability; and plurality oftowers.
 10. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge of claim 1, wherein stairsinclude at least one of a ramp and elevator.
 11. A Modular PedestrianBridge System, comprising: providing a span module having a tunnelsufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel, the tunnelbeing defined by a floor and a top, defining a height, sides defining awidth and upper and lower connectors, a tower module, stair assembly,and the tunnel of the span module having sufficient dimensions to allowthe tower module to be telescopically fit into the tunnel; transportingthe span module, tower module and stair assembly to a job site; andassembling the span module, the tower module and the stair assembly toform a bridge.
 12. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim 11,wherein the providing step further includes providing at least one ofthe span module and tower module with pockets adapted to be received bya fork of a fork lift.
 13. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim11, wherein the providing step includes providing at least one of: (i)the lower connector includes a male substantially outwardly extendingmember having a hole and the upper connector includes a female membercomplementarily configured to receive the male member, having a hole;and (ii) the upper connector includes a male substantially outwardlyextending member having a hole and the lower connector includes a femalemember with a hole.
 14. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim11, further comprising the step of connecting the span module and achassis with a twist lock, adapted to facilitate connection anddisconnection.
 15. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim 11,further comprising the step of providing the tower module with casters,adapted to facilitate horizontal movement when on a side.
 16. TheModular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim 1, further comprising at leastone of the steps of: adjusting a height of the tower moduletelescopically; and providing outwardly projecting extenders at a lowerportion, adapted to provide stability.
 17. The Modular Pedestrian BridgeSystem of claim 11, wherein the assembling step includes at least one ofthe steps of: unlocking twist locks connecting at least one span to achassis or flat bed truck; unloading components in the tunnel of the atleast one span; aligning and interconnected at least one span end to endwith a second span, to form an integrated and unitary span module of adesired length; surveying the job site to determine if the tower heightis within a certain threshold, and if not, adjusting the height;attaching lateral supports to a bottom portion of the tower; anchoringthe tower to the ground; placing and positioning the towers atappropriate locations; picking, placing, aligning and connecting the atleast one span with the towers; connecting stairs to the tower;connecting handrails and a canopy to a platform of the tower; andforming an integrated bridge structure.
 18. A Modular Pedestrian BridgeSystem, comprising: providing a span module having a tunnel sufficientto allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel, the tunnel beingdefined by a floor and a top, defining a height, sides defining a widthand upper and lower connectors, a tower module, stair assembly, and thetunnel of the span module having sufficient dimensions to allow thetower module to be telescopically fit into the tunnel; transporting thespan module, tower module and stair assembly to a job site; andassembling the span module, the tower module and the stair assembly toform a bridge, wherein the assembling step includes: surveying the jobsite to determine if a height of the tower module is within a certainthreshold, and if not, adjusting the height; placing and positioning thetower modules at appropriate locations; anchoring the tower module tothe ground; picking, placing, aligning and connecting the at least onespan module with the tower module; and connecting stairs or ramps to thetower module.
 19. The Modular Pedestrian Bridge System of claim 18,wherein the providing step includes providing at least one of: (i) alower connector including a male member having a hole and an upperconnector includes a female member complementarily configured to receivethe male member, having a hole; and (ii) an upper connector including amale and a lower connector including a female member.
 20. The ModularPedestrian Bridge System of claim 18, further comprising the step ofproviding the tower module with casters.